THEIR STORY
Santea Albarran had built one of the most loyal communities in Gen Z Hispanic social media. His audience trusted him, bought what he recommended, and showed up whenever he went live. What he did not have was a product built around him rather than bolted onto him.
The chamoy and extreme snack category had cultural pull but no brand doing it with any real craft or intentionality. It was a wide open lane for someone with the right credibility to own it.
THE CHALLENGE
We brought Santea on as a co-founder, not a spokesperson. That distinction shaped every decision we made. His personal style, his family’s kitchen culture, and his community’s taste preferences became the actual brand brief.
On the product side, TLK Fusion managed the full manufacturer relationship and led flavor development through multiple iterations, dialing in the right balance of heat, texture, and sweetness. We did not stop until the formula matched what Santea envisioned. The final lineup included Chili Mango, Spicy Sandia, Fuego Fresa, and more.
For branding and packaging, we ran a tight design process with Santea at every checkpoint. We prioritized retail readiness from day one, knowing the brand had to perform on a TikTok feed and a Walmart endcap at the same time. The result was a streetwear-influenced visual identity that was bold enough to stop scroll and structured enough to meet commercial standards.
The launch strategy included a full marketing calendar, custom web design, email sequences, and coordinated TikTok and Instagram Live sessions. We produced and distributed curated PR packages to maximize visibility on day one. When Santea went live, his community was ready.
THE SOLUTION
We brought Santea on as a co-founder, not a spokesperson. That distinction shaped every decision we made. His personal style, his family’s kitchen culture, and his community’s taste preferences became the actual brand brief.
On the product side, TLK Fusion managed the full manufacturer relationship and led flavor development through multiple iterations, dialing in the right balance of heat, texture, and sweetness. We did not stop until the formula matched what Santea envisioned. The final lineup included Chili Mango, Spicy Sandia, Tama Loca, and more.
For branding and packaging, we ran a tight design process with Santea at every checkpoint. We prioritized retail readiness from day one, knowing the brand had to perform on a TikTok feed and a Walmart endcap at the same time. The result was a streetwear-influenced visual identity that was bold enough to stop scroll and structured enough to meet commercial standards.
The launch strategy included a full marketing calendar, custom web design, email sequences, and coordinated TikTok and Instagram Live sessions. We produced and distributed curated PR packages to maximize visibility on day one. When Santea went live, his community was ready.
THE RESULTS
The campaign performed across every metric that matters. The Beverly Hills flagship saw a 300% increase in foot traffic in its first week. Media coverage landed in 205+ major placements. The brand’s revenue increased 162%, conversion rate improved 135%, and return on ad spend climbed 48%.
MEdia
Pikasos launched with the kind of organic momentum most brands spend years trying to manufacture. TLK Fusion is now converting that buzz into earned media across press, influencer, and retail trade channels, securing placements that extend the brand well beyond Santea’s already massive following.
The coverage is active and growing. Media is taking notice.
